ITU World Triathlon Series: Alistar Brownlee eyes Hamburg momentum

Omnisports Pulse

July 10, 2014 2:02 AM

Alistair Brownlee feels this weekend's ITU World Triathlon Series in Hamburg represents ideal preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

The Briton is yet to finish on a podium spot in this year's competition - seeing long-standing rival Javier Gomez dominate proceedings with four wins from five.

Mario Mola clinched the other race in London while Brownlee's brother Jonathan has just two second-place finishes to his name this term.

The pair have endured difficult campaigns, although the same event last year will offer crumbs of comfort.

Jonathan and Alistair finished first and second respectively in 2013 and they will need a similarly impressive showing to keep Gomez at bay.

The Spaniard has won in Hamburg once and made the podium three times - with a succesful run-out bolstering the Brownlees' Commonwealth preparations.

"Hamburg is a sprint-distance triathlon, which makes it fun. The Olympic distance takes longer to recover from but the sprint is fast and dynamic," Alistair Brownlee wrote in a blog for Metro.

"Hamburg is an important event in its own right but will also act as our perfect practice for the Commonwealths.

"I know that in Hamburg both Jonny and the World Series leader Javier Gomez will be on the startline.

"I want to go out and have the most competitive race that I can " it's the only way I'll be able to judge what sort of form I'm in ahead of Glasgow."

In the women's event, American Gwen Jorgensen goes in search of a fourth consecutive success but will again face off against last year's runner-up Jodie Stimpson.

After skipping the Chicago leg of the competition in order to help aid her fitness for the Commonwealths, Stimpson returns in Germany looking to add to her two race wins this season.

Home favourite Anne Haug tasted success on home soil last time out and a similar effort this year could see her pick up a second race win of the campaign with only three events remaining.

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